Botev Plovdiv FC, Oldest Football Club In Bulgaria, Adopt Bitcoin And Lightning Network Payments

Botev Plovdiv FC, has adopted Bitcoin and Lightning Network payments (photo: twitter @botev_plovdiv)

JAKARTA - Botev Plovdiv FC, Bulgaria's oldest football club, has set new adoption goals. They have adopted Bitcoin and Lightning Network payments, and joined the decentralized protocol, Nostr.

From now on, fans can use Bitcoin for peer-to-peer payments at Botev Plovdiv FC fan stores and booths during matches in the top-class Bulgarian League Parva. The club also has plans to expand Bitcoin payments for ticket sales and their online stores.

Anton Zingarerich, president of the 111-year-old football club, expressed enthusiasm for this move, highlighting the potential for the Lightning Network.

"We expect Bitcoin payments to be a source of the internet in our daily lives. This integration is not only in line with our vision but also offers tremendous comfort for our fans and stakeholders," Zingarerich was quoted as saying by VOI from Cointelegraph.

This initiative comes true through partnerships with BTCPay Server, Bitcoin payment processors known for its open source architecture, secure infrastructure, and low merchant costs.

Payment hardware is handled by CryptoDesk.bg, in collaboration with Bitcoinize.com, which provides sales devices. Nicolas Dorier, founder of BTCPay Server, stressed the importance of local Bitcoin adoption, expressed its commitment to supporting transformational efforts such as work at Plovdiv.

George Goodev, director of Bitcoin at Botev Plovdiv FC, explained that "Bitcoin offers a wide range of technological, social and financial opportunities."

"At Botev, we are very pleased to lead this innovation into the sport, taking advantage of their transformative energy to elevate our club to an unprecedented level. As the oldest football club in Bulgaria, please anticipate our innovative products and initiatives."

In addition to adopting Bitcoin, Botev Plovdiv FC has updated its presence online. The club's official website has been updated, the English-language social media channel has been renewed, and the club has created an account on the Nostr decentralized protocol that offers censor-resistant social media.

Steps to embrace Bitcoin and decentralized technology are similar to Real totaling, a English-based football club, which is the world's first football club to adopt Bitcoin. Peter McCormack, chairman of Real totaling, shared his thoughts on news from Bulgaria.

"It's really cool to see more football clubs adopt the Bitcoin code. Not only will it bring more success to their clubs, but it will also expand the Bitcoin awareness network," McCormack said.

McCormack has been integrating Bitcoin on Real totaling since 2021, and he also spoke with Plovdiv before they adopted Bitcoin. According to McCormack, Bitcoin's unique characteristics act as a cheat code for life. He will hold a conference called the "Cheat Code" in My late 2024.

"There is an outbreak of financial impairment in football, so clubs that adopt Bitcoin's low-time standards as part of their strategy are building their clubs with a solid foundation," McCormack said.

"I hope we will continue to see not only other football clubs but all types of sports teams adopt the code," McCormack added.

Meanwhile, football fans attending Plovdiv's home game against Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the second league will be able to pay using Bitcoin and Lightning Network. The team announced this on Bitcoin's white paper anniversary to commemorate the day and highlight its support for Bitcoin.